Hinge structure for flat visual display device

ABSTRACT

A hinge structure for a flat visual display device comprising: a fixed plate; pivotal plates; a rotation shaft inserted into vertical planes of the fixed and pivotal plates; rotation shaft-fixing ends in both ends of the rotation shaft for allowing the pivotal plates fitted around the ends of the rotation shaft to rotate together with the rotation shaft; a braking unit securely settled in the fixed plate and having a braking member for surrounding the outer circumference of the rotation shaft to generate braking force in the rotation shaft; stoppers folded from the fixed plate; stopper guides each having a guide groove in the outer circumference into which each of the stoppers is inserted and for being fitted around each of the rotation shaft-fixing ends; and a leaf spring inserted into a tightening face between both ends of the braking member.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a hinge structure, and moreparticularly, to a hinge structure applicable to a flat visual displaydevice and functioning as a structure between two members adopting ahinge so as to provide both of the members with smooth movement andbraking force owing to a suitable amount of frictional force.

BACKGROUND ART

As well known in the art, a number of hinge structures are applied tomove a pivoting member vertically or laterally in respect to a fixedmember about one rotation shaft. More specifically describing anoperation of an article to which the hinge structure is applied by wayof illustration, this operation may include certain operations such asopening/closing of an article cover, opening/closing of an upper portionof a notebook computer and vertical adjustment of a visual displaydevice. In particular, the invention relates to a hinge structure whichcan be more suitably applied to a flat visual display device.

The above-mentioned flat visual display device may include various typesof visual display devices such as an LCD monitor, a Plasma Display Panel(PDP) and Field Emission Display (FED).

In the meantime, examples of conventional hinge structures include thoseas proposed in Korean Laid-Open Utility Model Registration No.20200110000941 and Korean Laid-Open Utility Model Registration No.20200110000942. In particular, Korean Laid-Open Patent Application No.1020000028262 discloses an example of hinge structure proposed forapplication to a visual display unit of an LCD.

However, the hinge structure as set forth above is so configured thatthe rotation shaft is fastened in its both ends with washers and nuts soas to support the both ends of the rotation shaft with independentforces. This causes different frictional forces to be applied to bothsides of the rotation shaft thereby failing to apply the frictionalforce to the both sides as a balanced braking force so that pivotalmembers are not applied with laterally balanced force. Then, a user maynot easily move the pivotal member as a drawback.

Further, in order to adjust external force applied in adjusting thevertical position of the flat visual display device, the userinconveniently adjust the external force in the both sides of therotation shaft via complicated processes.

Further, in order to support the both sides of the rotation shaft, anumber of washers or nuts are used thereby sophisticating amanufacturing process.

Moreover, when the rotation shaft is fastened to a supporting portion,the rotation shaft is fastened to only one point of the fixed plated forsupporting the weight of the flat visual display device. This causes aproblem that rolling takes place so that the flat visual display devicemoves laterally in respect to the supporting portion.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems and itis therefore an object of the invention to provide a hinge structure fora flat visual display device in which frictional force applied to thehinge structure according to the weight of the flat visual displaydevice can be readily adjusted.

It is another object of the invention to provide a hinge structure for aflat visual display device in which frictional force is concentratedinto one region rather than both sides of a rotation shaft to apply thesame force to the latter so that a user can readily adjust the positionof the flat visual display device.

It is further another object of the invention to provide a hingestructure for a flat visual display device in which both ends of arotation shaft are respectively supported to rotation shaft guides so asto prevent rolling of the flat visual display device.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the invention to obtain the above objects, itis provided a hinge structure for a flat visual display devicecomprising: a fixed plate; pivotal plates; a rotation shaft insertedinto vertical planes of the fixed and pivotal plates for allowingrelative rotational movement; rotation shaft-fixing ends in both ends ofthe rotation shaft for allowing the pivotal plates fitted around theends of the rotation shaft to rotate together with the rotation shaft; abraking unit securely settled in the fixed plate and having a brakingmember for surrounding the outer circumference of the rotation shaft togenerate braking force in the rotation shaft; stoppers folded from thefixed plate; stopper guides each having a guide groove in the outercircumference into which each of the stoppers is inserted and for beingfitted around each of the rotation shaft-fixing ends to restrict thepivoting angle of each of the pivotal plates; and a hinge-fixing unithaving rotation shaft guides at both upper ends, the rotation shaftguides being placed in both ends of the rotation shaft for restrictingshaking of the rotation shaft.

In the above hinge structure, the braking ability applied to the hingestructure according to the weight of the flat visual display device canbe adjusted more conveniently. The position of the rotation shaft ismore correctly guided during location of the flat visual display deviceso that the flat visual display device can be located more safely.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hinge structure for a flat visualdisplay device of the invention;

FIG. 2 an exploded perspective view of a braking unit in the hingestructure of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the braking unit in the hinge structureof the invention;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a pivotal plate portion of theinvention;

FIG. 5 is an assembled perspective view of the pivotal plate portion ofthe invention;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view for illustrating a configurationfor restricting the pivoting angle of a rotation shaft in the hingestructure of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view for illustrating pivoting of a fixed platein the hinge structure of the invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates a hinge-fixing unit in the hinge structure of theinvention; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective bottom view of the hinge structure of theinvention which is fastened to a flat visual display device.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter the above-disclosed present invention will be described inreference to a detailed embodiment in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hinge structure for a flat visualdisplay device of the invention.

Describing the hinge structure of the invention as shown FIG. 1, thehinge structure has pivotal plates 10 for being mounted to a flat visualdisplay device for vertically pivoting the same, a fixed plate 20 forbeing mounted to a supporting structure to which the flat visual displaydevice will be supported for supporting the weight of the flat visualdisplay device, a rotation shaft 30 inserted into vertical planes of thefixed and pivotal plates 20 and 10 facilitating vertical linear movementbetween the fixed and pivotal plates 20 and 10 with a certain degree offreedom, spacing members 40 fitted around the rotation shaft formaintaining gaps between the fixed plate 20 and the pivotal plates 10,elastic members 60 respectively provided around the spacing members 40and with both ends supported by the fixed and pivotal plates 20 and 10for generating a certain amount of elasticity to support the weight ofthe flat visual display device, stopper guides 50 respectively providedbetween the spacing members 60 and the fixed plates 20 for restrictingthe pivoting angle of the pivotal plates 20, sliding members 70respectively provided in contact faces between the stopper guides 50 andthe fixed plate 20 for reducing noise and abrasion, a braking unit 80provided around a central region of the rotation shaft 30 andanti-release members 95 respectively provided around ends of therotation shaft 30 and configured to hold the pivotal plates 10 inposition.

In the meantime, all of the above components except for the braking unit80, the rotation shaft 30 and the fixed plate 20 are symmetricallyprovided both sides of the pivotal axis so that the rotation shaft 30can be pivoted as axially balanced.

The braking unit 80 includes a braking member 81 for forming a certainfrictional face contacting around a central portion of the rotationshaft 30, a braking housing 84 provided around the braking member 81 forpreventing the braking member 81 from fracture and imparting a certainstrength to the braking member 81, a leaf spring 87 inserted betweentightening faces of the braking member 81 for maintaining a certain gaptherein to facilitate adjustment of braking force and abraking-adjustable member 89 vertically screwed into the braking member81, the braking housing and the leaf spring 87 for adjusting the brakingforce owing to frictional force therebetween.

In particular, the braking member 81 is made of plastic, and preferablyengineering plastic so that the braking force is smoothly generated fromthe frictional faces.

The operation of the inventive hinge structure will be briefly describedin reference to the schematic construction of the invention as set forthabove.

When a user desires to adjust the vertical position of a flat visualdisplay device, the pivotal plates 10 mounted to the flat visual displaydevice move in a vertical linear guiding direction. As the pivotalplates 10 vertically move, the rotation shaft 30 inserted into thepivotal plates 10 also moves identically. During rotation of therotation shaft 30, frictional force takes place in the braking unit 80contacting around the rotation shaft 30 in the substantially centralportion thereof, and more particularly, in the braking member 81. Thefrictional force actuates as braking force for stopping the rotationshaft 30.

In addition to the braking force applied to the rotation shaft 30 by thebraking unit 80, the sliding members 70 may generate a certain amount offrictional force to enhance braking ability.

In the meantime, stoppers 23 extended from both vertical planes in endsof the fixed plate 20 are inserted into the stopper guides 50 to pivottherein resultantly restricting a pivoting angle of the pivotal plates10.

Restriction of the pivoting angle of the pivotal plates 10 alsorestricts the vertical rotation angle of the flat visual display deviceto which the pivotal plates 10 are mounted so that any fracture of theflat visual display device may be restricted.

Further, the weight of the flat visual display device is continuouslyapplied along one direction, in particular, along the direction ofgravity. The elastic members 60 are provided to support the weight andwith both ends being respectively placed against the fixed and pivotalplates 20 and 10 for continuously applying a certain amount of restoringforce to the pivotal plates 10.

The restoring force applied by the elastic members 60 corresponds to acertain amount of force sufficient to overcome the weight of the flatvisual display device and the restoring force is linearly directedthereby causing no specific interference with an external force which isapplied to vertically move the flat visual display device.

The restoring force from the elastic members 60 joined with thefrictional force from the braking unit 80 supports the weight of theflat visual display device and assists a user to more readily operatethe device.

FIG. 2 an exploded perspective view of a braking unit in the hingestructure of the invention.

Describing more specifically the braking unit of the invention inreference to FIG. 2, it can be understood that the braking unit 80 isconstituted of a plurality of sub-components.

First, the braking member 81 is provided with a frictional face 82contacting around the central portion of the rotation shaft (refer tothe reference numeral 30 in FIG. 1) and the second tightening holes 81h. The braking member 83 further includes tightening planes 83 foradjusting the entire braking force as the braking adjustable member 89is screwed into the second tightening-holes 81 h to adjust the amount oftightening.

The braking housing 84 is provided around the braking member 81 and madeof high-strength material in order to prevent the braking member 81 fromfracture. The braking housing 84 also has housing-tightening planes 85equivalently configured with the tightening planes 83 for braking memberand the first tightening holes 84 h in the tightening planes 85 alignedwith the second tightening holes 81 h.

The leaf spring 87 is interposed between the tightening planes 83 forbraking member to allow the tightening planes 83 to be supported with acertain gap.

The leaf spring 87 is provided with the third tightening hole 87 h forlocating the braking-adjustable member 89 as it is inserted into thethird tightening hole 87 h. The leaf spring 87 has an entireconfiguration constituted of a plurality of planes which are verticallyfolded. In particular, the leaf spring 87 maintains a certain amount offastening force to the braking-adjustable member 89 owing to therestoring force of the spring, and provides a certain gap for allowingthe tightening force from the braking-adjustable member 89 to beadjusted in a microscopic scale.

Further, the fixed plate 20 is provided with the fourth tightening hole20 h aligned with the first tightening holes 84 h, the second tighteningholes 81 h and the third tightening holes 87 h so that thebraking-adjustable member 20 is fixedly inserted into the fourthtightening hole 20 h for adjusting the braking ability of the rotationshaft 30 owing to the frictional face 82.

In the meantime, the fixed plate 20 is further provided with a fixedhorizontal plane 21 with the fourth tightening hole 20 h and fixedvertical planes 22 for insertionally receiving the rotation shaft 30.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the braking unit in the hinge structureof the invention.

The operation of the braking unit in the inventive hinge structure willbe described in reference to FIG. 3. The rotation shaft 30 is insertedthrough the frictional face 82 of the braking member 81 and the amountof tightening the frictional face 82 restricts or brakes the operationof the rotation shaft 30. In particular, the braking operation of therotation shaft 30 is varied according to the degree of tightening thetightening planes 83 for braking member, that is the degree oftightening the braking-adjustable member 89.

In the meantime, for the purpose of more simply adjusting the degree oftightening the braking member 81, it is preferred that thebraking-adjustable member 89 is provided in an upper portion with awrench-receiving groove 89 a for insertionally receiving a wrench and ina lower portion with a thread portion 89 b. Further, the thread portion89 b are inserted in a position aligned with the first tightening holes(refer to the reference numeral 84 h in FIG. 2), the second tighteningholes (refer to the reference numeral 81 h in FIG. 2), the thirdtightening holes (refer to the reference numeral 87 h in FIG. 2) and thefourth tightening holes (refer to the reference numeral 20 h in FIG. 2).The fourth tightening holes (refer to the reference numeral 20 h in FIG.2) contacting with the thread portion 89 b is preferably provided withthreads having a symmetric configuration with the thread portion 89 b.

Preferably, the first to third tightening holes 84 h, 81 h and 87 h areprovided with a diameter slightly larger than that of the thread portion89 b so as to facilitate insertion of the braking-adjustable member 89.

As a result, in order to obtain fixed insertion, the braking-adjustablemember 89 contacts by its upper portion with the upper face of thehousing tightening planes 85 and by its thread portion 89 h with thefourth tightening hole 20 h so that other elements provided therebetweencan be tightened. Moreover, the frictional face 82 is tightened as thetightening planes 83 for braking member in the braking member 81 istightened. Tightening the frictional planes 82 increases the frictionalforce between the rotation shaft 30 and the frictional face 82 so that ahinge can readily stop its rotational movement.

If the braking-adjusting member is further strongly tightened, thebraking force correspondingly increases and the movement of the pivotalplates 10 is braked under a stronger force.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a pivotal plate portion of theinvention.

Referring to FIG. 4, in the hinge structure, the rotation shaft 30 isprovided in both ends with rotation shaft-fixing ends 31 each formed bycutting symmetric portions in a circular section. The rotationshaft-fixing ends 31 are so configured to fit into receiving holes insome members such as the pivotal plates 10 and the stopper guides 50thereby obtaining the same rotation angle to the pivotal plates 10 andthe stopper guides 50.

However, the rotation shaft-fixing ends 31 are not restricted into theconfiguration as represented in the drawings but may have anyconfiguration corresponding to that of the receiving holes as long asthe receiving holes can be non-circularly shaped and rotate togetherwith the rotations shaft 30.

The spacing members 40 have a circular internal configuration and thusmove regardless of movement of the rotation shaft-fixing ends 31.However, though the inside configuration of the spacing members 40 isdifferent from that of the rotation shaft-fixing ends 31, it shall notbe intended that the rotation shaft-fixing ends 31 operated separatefrom the spacing members 40. The inside configuration of the spacingmembers 40 may be identical with that of the rotation shaft-fixing ends31 so that the spacing members 40 and the rotation shaft-fixing ends 31can move at the same pivoting angle.

Each of the elastic members 60 is provided around each of the spacingmembers 40 and with one end placed on the fixed horizontal plane (referto the reference numeral 21 in FIG. 2) and the other end supported by apivotal horizontal plane 12 so as to maintain position and elastic forcethereof. When deformed from the original installation position underexternal force, the elastic members 60 generate restoring force toreturn the pivotal plates 10 into the original position.

Further, the pivotal plates 10 each includes the pivotal horizontalplane 12 and a pivotal vertical plane 11 folded from the horizontalplane 12 and having a hole for insertionally receiving the rotationshaft 30. The pivotal horizontal plane 12 has a plurality of holes bywhich the pivotal plate 10 is mounted to a flat visual display device.

The anti-release members 95 are each provided beyond the pivotal plate10 so that the pivotal plate 10 which is fitted around the fixing end 31does not slip off the fixing end 31.

Describing the configuration of the anti-release member 95 morespecifically, a central portion of the anti-release member has a holefor insertionally receiving the rotation shaft-fixing end 31 and aplurality of folded faces radially formed around the hole. The foldedfaces are folded toward the tip of the rotation shaft-fixing end 31 sothat the anti-release member 95 may not slip off the rotationshaft-fixing end 31. That is to say, when the rotation shaft 30 isinserted in a direction that the anti-release member 95 is fitted, thefolded faces are adapted to suitably flex so as not to obstruct theanti-release member 95 from being fitted around the rotation shaft 30.However, the folded faces are caught by the rotation shaft 30 in adirection that the anti-release member 95 is detached so that theanti-release member 95 is not slipped off. This actuation alsoeffectively prevents release of the previously installed pivotal plate11.

FIG. 5 is an assembled perspective view of the pivotal plate portion ofthe invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, the elastic member 60 is provided around thespacing member 40 as described above, the pivotal plate 10 is providedoutside the elastic member 60, and the anti-release member 95 is furtherprovided outside the pivotal plate for preventing release of the pivotalplate 10.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view for illustrating a configurationfor restricting the pivoting angle of a rotation shaft in the hingestructure of the invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, it can be seen the fixed plate 20, the rotationshaft 30, the sliding member 70 and the stopper guide 50. Further, thefixed plate 20 includes the fixed vertical planes 22 withshaft-receiving holes 24 and the stoppers 23 outwardly folded from thelower ends of the fixed vertical planes 22. The stopper guide 50 isinwardly cut with a portion in the outer circumference to form a guidegroove 51 in which the stopper 23 is settled so as to restrict thepivotal angle of the stopper guide 50 and the pivotal plate 10.

The sliding member 70 has a hole-sliding portion 72 in one regiondefined by reducing the diameter of the sliding member 70 with an outercircumferential portion contacting with the shaft-receiving hole 24 onthe fixed vertical plane 22 and an inner circumferential portioncontacting with the rotation shaft 30 and a spacing portion 71 formaintaining the fixed vertical plane 22 spaced for a certain distancefrom the stopper guide 50.

In particular, the rotation shaft 30 is provided in a substantiallycentral region with a circular portion terminating at theshaft-receiving hole 24 and both portions (only one is shown) whichfurther extend to form non-circular fixing ends 31 for receivingrotation shaft. The configuration is provided to restrict the pivotalangle of the pivotal plate 10 owing to the interaction between thestopper 23 and the stopper guide 50.

More particularly, the region of the rotation shaft 30 inserted into thefixed vertical plane 22 is circularly formed to enable relativerotational movement between the rotation shaft 30 and the fixed plate 20while the non-circular fixing end 31 for rotation shaft is inserted intoto the stopper guide 50 so that the stopper guide 50 necessarily rotatestogether with the rotation shaft 30.

By means of this configuration, the stopper guide 50 rotates togetherwith the pivotal plate 10 and the rotation shaft 31 when the pivotalplate 10 is rotated, whereas the stopper 23 is fixed in position so asto restrict the pivoting angle of the pivotal plate 10 in respect to thefixed plate 20.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view for illustrating pivoting of a fixed platein the hinge structure of the invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, when the pivotal plate 10 is rotated, the stopperguide 50 integral with the pivotal plate 10 is also rotated with thesame rotation angle. However, rotation of the stopper guide 50 isrestricted to the range represented in the drawings, in particular, tothe width of the guide groove 51 owing to the catching operation of thestopper guide 23.

FIG. 8 illustrates a hinge-fixing unit in the hinge structure of theinvention.

Referring to FIG. 8, the hinge-fixing unit 90 includes a number ofhinge-fastening holes 92 for being aligned with fastening holes in thefixed plate 20, rotation shaft guides 91 respectively provided in bothupper ends for guiding the both ends of the rotation shaft 30 and anumber of base-fastening holes 93 in the lower end for fastening with abase structure.

The hinge fixing unit 90 is provided to obtain further smooth operationof the hinge structure, in which the both ends of the rotation shaft 30are supportingly inserted into the rotation guides 91 so as to preventany vertical shaking of the rotation shaft 30 in location of the flatvisual display device. Further, the position of the flat visual displaydevice can be stably adjusted.

Describing again, the hinge structure of the invention is fastened withthe hinge-fixing unit 90 by inserting certain fastening members into thehinge-fastening holes 92. Further, the both ends of the rotation shaft30 are inserted into the rotation guides 91 to guide the positions ofthe both ends of the rotation shaft 30 vertically and horizontally sothat the vertical and horizontal positions of the flat visual displaydevice can be adjusted more stably.

In the meantime, the number of base-fastening holes 93 in the lower endof the hinge-fixing unit 90 are fastened with the horizontal basestructure. As fastened in a lower region with the base like this, thehinge-fixing unit 90 functions as a supporting portion by itself therebyeliminating the necessity for an additional supporting portion.

As an alternative embodiment, the hinge-fastening holes 92 can beomitted so that the fixed plate 20 is not fastened with the hinge-fixingunit 90. More particularly, another fixing unit can be attached by oneside fastened to the fixed plate 20 and the other side fixed to theinner wall of an exterior housing so as to obtain the fixing operation.

As a result, the hinge-fixing unit 90 can be provided only with therotation shaft guides 91 in the both upper ends by omitting thehinge-fastening holes 92 to guide the both ends of the rotation shaft 30so as to prevent shaking of the rotation shaft 30.

It is represented a further another configuration of hinge-fixing unitfor preventing shaking of the flat visual display device.

The hinge-fixing unit is integrally provided with the fixed plate 20 anddownwardly connected with the fixed plate 20 while a lower portion ofthe hinge-fixing unit is fastened with a base.

The hinge-fixing unit functions as an integral supporting portion whichdownwardly extends as integral with the fixed plate 20 so as to morereliably restrict shaking of the rotation shaft 30 which may take plateowing to release of a screw in the hinge fastening holes 92. Further,this securely fixes the hinge structure to restrict rolling of the flatvisual display device even though the rotation shaft guide 91 isomitted.

FIG. 9 is a perspective bottom view of the hinge structure of theinvention which is fastened to a flat visual display device.

Referring to FIG. 9, in the hinge structure of the invention, the fixedplate 20 is fastened to the hinge-fixing unit 90 and the pivotal plates10 are fastened to the rear plane of a flat visual display device 100 sothat the flat visual display device 100 is vertically moved and adjustedin position by the hinge structure of the invention. Further, thehinge-fixing unit 90 also functions as the supporting portion, and anexterior housing 200 is provided around the hinge-fixing unit 90. Underthe exterior housing 200, is provided a base 300 for maintaining theflat visual display device 100 in a stable erection state.

In the meantime, both ends of the rotation shaft 30 are respectivelyplaced in the hinge shaft guides 91 in the upper both ends of thehinge-fixing unit 90 so as to restrict excessive vertical and lateralmovement of the flat visual display device 100. The fastening membersare inserted into the base-fastening holes 93 to directly fix thehinge-fixing unit 90 to the base 300.

In the meantime, as set forth above, instead of fastening thehinge-fixing unit 90 via the hinge-fastening holes 92 and thecorresponding fastening members, the fixed plate 20 and the hinge-fixingunit 90 can be integrally provided to restrict rolling of the flatvisual display device without the rotation shaft guide 91.

According to the above-mentioned configuration, the hinge structure ofthe invention can ensure stable operation of the flat visual displaydevice.

The present invention is not restricted to the embodiment as set forthabove but those skilled in the art will appreciate that otherembodiments can be readily provided via addition, omission ormodification of the components without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As set forth above, the present invention provides in the outercircumference of the rotation shaft the braking unit which imparts thefrictional force while allowing the braking force from the braking unitto be more conveniently adjusted so that the hinge structure can be usedmore conveniently as an effect.

Further, the braking unit for generating the braking force is providedas a single unit in a central region of the rotation shaft so that thebraking force can be adjusted in single braking rather than individuallyadjusting the braking force applied to the both pivotal plates therebyensuring stable operation to the both lateral portions of the hingestructure.

Further, in the hinge structure of the invention, the rotations shaftguides in the both upper ends of the hinge-fixing unit support the bothends of the rotation shaft so as to effectively prevent the rotationshaft from vertical or lateral shaking and thereby prevent the flatvisual display device from lateral shaking. This allows the flat visualdisplay device to be adjusted in position in an easy manner.

Moreover, the hinge-fixing unit is integrally provided with the fixedplate so that rolling of the flat visual display device can berestricted without separately providing the rotation guides.

1. A hinge structure for a display device, comprising: a fixed platehaving a main body portion configured to be mounted on a support andfirst and second arms that extend from the main body portion; a rotationshaft that passes through the first and second arms of the fixed plate;first and second pivotal plates configured to be attached to a display,wherein the first and second pivotal plates are fixed to first andsecond ends of the rotation shaft such that the pivotal plates rotatewith the rotation shaft relative to the fixed plate; and a braking unitwhich is mounted on the fixed plate, wherein the braking unit isconfigured to apply a frictional force to the rotation shaft to limitrotation of the rotation shaft relative to the fixed plate, and whereinthe braking unit comprises: a braking member that includes twotightening plates joined by a substantially cylindrical friction portionwhich surrounds an outer circumference of the rotation shaft and whichis configured to apply friction to the rotation shaft to limit movementof the rotation shaft; a leaf spring interposed between the tighteningplates; and a fastener configured to adjust a spacing between thetightening plates, to thereby vary an amount of friction applied to therotation shaft by the braking member.
 2. The hinge structure accordingto claim 1, further comprising at least one anti-release memberrespectively provided on each of the first and second ends of therotation shaft for preventing release of the pivotal plates from therotation shaft.
 3. The hinge structure according to claim 1, furthercomprising a braking housing for surrounding an outer circumference ofthe braking member for restricting fracture of the braking member. 4.The hinge structure according to claim 1, wherein the leaf spring has aplurality of planes defined by folds.
 5. The hinge structure accordingto claim 1, wherein said braking member is made of engineering plastic.6. The hinge structure according to claim 1, wherein the first andsecond ends of the rotation shaft have flat portions which areconfigured to be inserted into slots in the respective pivotal plates sothat the pivotal plates rotate with the rotation shaft.
 7. The hingestructure according to claim 1, further comprising a pivotingrestriction unit configured to limit pivotal movement of the pivotalplates relative to the fixed plate.
 8. The hinge structure according toclaim 7, wherein at least one of the first and second arms of the fixedplate includes a protrusion, wherein the pivoting restriction unitcomprises at least one stopper guide which is mounted on the rotationshaft so that the stopper guide rotates with the rotation shaft, andwherein the stopper guide includes a guide groove which receives theprotrusion such that the stopper guide and the attached rotation shaftcan only rotate a predetermined amount relative to the fixed plate. 9.The hinge structure according to claim 8, further comprising at leastone sliding member provided between the fixed plate and the at least onestopper guide for restricting noise and abrasion.
 10. The hingestructure according to claim 9, wherein the sliding member comprises awasher mounted on the rotation shaft between the at least one stopperguide and the fixed plate, wherein the sliding member includes a slidingportion that abuts the at least one stopper member and a hole slidingportion that is inserted into a corresponding recess on the fixed plate.11. The hinge structure according to claim 1, wherein the leaf springallows the spacing between the tightening plates to be adjusted inminute amounts.
 12. A hinge structure for a flat visual display devicecomprising: a braking member made of engineering plastic and provided onan outer circumference of a rotation shaft which is inserted into fixedand pivotal plates wherein said braking member comprises: a frictionalface contacting with said rotation shaft for providing braking force,and braking-tightening planes extended from said frictional face andhaving contact faces into which a leaf spring and a braking-adjustablemember are inserted for adjusting braking force; a braking housingaround said braking member for maintaining the strength of said brakingmember; and at least one elastic member having a first end coupled toone of said pivotal plates and a second end coupled to said fixed plate,wherein said at least one elastic member is configured to generate arestoring force to offset the weight of the flat visual display deviceso as to adjust the flat visual display device with a slight amount offorce, whereby the weight of the flat visual display device is supportedand the movement thereof is compensated.
 13. The hinge structureaccording to claim 12, wherein said braking member is provided in saidfixed plate.
 14. The hinge structure according to claim 12, furthercomprising a non-circular rotation shaft-fixing end in at least oneportion of said rotation shaft for rotating said pivotal plates or saidfixed plate together with said rotation shaft.
 15. A hinge structure fora display device, comprising: a fixed plate having a main body portionand first and second arms that extend from the main body portion; arotation shaft that passes through the first and second arms of thefixed plate; first and second pivotal plates configured to be attachedto a display, wherein the first and second pivotal plates are fixed tofirst and second ends of the rotation shaft such that the pivotal platesrotate with the rotation shaft relative to the fixed plate; and ahinge-fixing unit having first and second rotation shaft guides whichreceive the first and second ends of the rotation shaft, wherein thehinge-fixing unit is configured to restrict shaking of the rotationshaft, and wherein the fixed plate is attached to and supported by thehinge-fixing unit.
 16. The hinge structure according to claim 15,further comprising a pivoting restriction unit configured to limitrotation of the rotation shaft relative to the fixed plate.
 17. Thehinge structure according to claim 15, further comprising a braking unitwhich is mounted on the fixed plate and which surrounds the rotationshaft, wherein the braking unit is configured to apply a frictionalforce to the rotation shaft.
 18. The hinge structure according to claim17, wherein the braking unit comprises: a braking member that includestwo tightening plates joined by a substantially cylindrical frictionportion which surrounds an outer circumference of the rotation shaft andwhich is configured to apply friction to the rotation shaft to limitmovement of the rotation shaft; a leaf spring interposed between thetightening plates; and a fastener configured to adjust a spacing betweenthe tightening plates, to thereby vary an amount of friction applied tothe rotation shaft by the braking member.
 19. The hinge structureaccording to claim 15, further comprising at least one elastic membermounted on the rotation shaft that is configured to apply an elasticforce that tends to return the first and second pivotal plates to apredetermined rotational position relative to the fixed plate.
 20. Thehinge structure of claim 19, wherein the at least one elastic membercomprises a spring having a first end coupled to the fixed plate and asecond end coupled to one of the first and second pivotal plates. 21.The hinge structure according to claim 19, further comprising at leastone spacing member fitted around the rotation shaft, and positionedbetween the rotation shaft and the at least one elastic member forpreventing noise and abrasion of the rotation shaft against the at leastone elastic member.
 22. The hinge structure according to claim 18,wherein said braking unit comprises a braking member made of engineeringplastic.